Graduation Guide

In order to participate in our annual Commencement Ceremonies, students must file an Application for Graduation and complete all degree requirements by the conclusion of the academic year.

All Business Office accounts must be clear in order to walk in commencement. In addition, all Chapel and Workship requirements and any remaining holds or citation fees must be cleared before your diploma will be released.

Commencement is an occasion marking a special time in a student’s academic career. It is expected that all candidates for graduation will participate in Commencement ceremonies.

Commencement is a rite of passage that demands a sense of formality and dignity. Each graduate will be honored as his or her name is read, and he or she walks across the platform to receive recognition from the University president.

No graduate should act in such a manner that would detract from another student’s moment of honor. Graduates who choose to celebrate excessively through inappropriate behavior will be fined based on the severity of the offense, and the diploma will be held until the account is cleared.

To respect and honor all graduates, please stay seated until the ceremony ends.

Click here to review the Baccalaureate Graduation Requirements

Regardless of academic achievement, a student on disciplinary probation may not graduate from PBA until the probation has been removed.

Application for Graduation

Students should submit an Application for Graduation to the Office of the Registrar no later than the end of the add/drop period one semester prior to all degree requirements being completed. The application is available on myPBA, under the Students tab, on the Commencement page.

To locate the online application:

1. Go to: https://my.pba.edu/ICS/Students/Commencement.jnz
2. Log into myPBA.

The “Application for Graduation” is highlighted. Click the link in the window to get started.

Students will be able to request transcripts directly from the Registrar Office’s page in MyPBA. PBA graduates will receive both a printed diploma and a digital version through Parchment upon graduating. This secure PDF copy will be permanently accessible at no additional cost, allowing students to easily share their achievements. Students can order official transcripts through Parchment here.

Students who need degree conferral information on their transcripts should select “After Degree Is Awarded” under the Processing Details section of the order form.

Commencement 2027

Thursday, May 6–Friday, May 7

Celebrations hosted by each school will take place Thursday evening and Friday morning, with the Baccalaureate service on Thursday evening and the Commencement ceremonies on Friday.

Stay tuned for information on the schedule and arrival times.

Commencement 2027

Commencement ticket registration will be open for a certain time frame. Graduates will use their PBA ID number to access registration.

• Each graduate is responsible for reserving and distributing tickets to their guests.
• Tickets are not automatically assigned; graduates must register themselves and up to five (5) guests for their respective Commencement and School Celebration ceremonies. These tickets must be reserved before the deadline.
• Children who can sit on an adult’s lap do not need a ticket.

*Not sure which school or college your major is within? Undergraduate students, click HERE. Graduate students click HERE.

Additional Tickets

Need more than 5 guest tickets? After registration closes on February 28, all unclaimed tickets will be distributed to graduates who request additional guest tickets on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional instructions and deadlines will be communicated via email.

Ticket Distribution

Each graduate is responsible for distributing tickets to their guests by forwarding the digital ticket via email. Check-in for each Commencement ceremony will be outside the front doors of the Greene Complex and each guest must have a ticket in order to enter. Each guest will scan their digital ticket at a kiosk.

See guidelines for graduation attire below. For any questions, please email Commencement@pba.edu.

• Bachelor gowns, Master gowns, and Doctoral gowns are all different. Students should carefully order the correct gown for their degree.
• Robes should be steamed or pressed prior to commencement.
• Master and Doctoral graduates may have a hood to wear over their gowns.
• Purchasing a Stole of Gratitude is optional, but if you choose to do so, you may present it to someone as a token of appreciation.

How to Wear Your Regalia

Ordering Regalia

Appropriate Attire

Since Commencement is a formal and professional event, graduates should dress appropriately for this milestone life event.

Students should avoid attire that draws undue attention to themselves or embarrasses classmates or their guests. Wear shoes appropriate for walking up and down ramps.

Honors

Undergraduate Latin Honors are given for earning a cumulative Palm Beach Atlantic GPA of:

• 3.75 to 3.81 – Cum Laude (bronze)
• 3.82 to 3.89 – Magna Cum Laude (silver)
• 3.90 or above – Summa Cum Laude (gold)

Undergraduate students must complete a minimum of 54 GPA credit hours at Palm Beach Atlantic to be eligible for honors.

Graduate Latin Honors are awarded only to graduates of the Lloyd L. Gregory School of Pharmacy for earning a cumulative Palm Beach Atlantic GPA of:

• 3.60 to 3.74 – Cum Laude (bronze)
• 3.75 to 3.85 – Magna Cum Laude (silver)
• 3.86 or above – Summa Cum Laude (gold)

Pharmacy students must complete a minimum of 60 GPA credit hours at Palm Beach Atlantic to be eligible for honors.

Commencement is a celebration of academic achievement and a shared milestone for graduates, families, and the University community. Graduates are expected to conduct themselves and present themselves in a manner that honors the significance of the occasion and reflects the values of Palm Beach Atlantic University.

Commencement is a formal academic ceremony celebrating the accomplishments of Palm Beach Atlantic University graduates. All graduates are expected to wear approved commencement regalia and attire that reflects the dignity of the occasion and is consistent with University community standards and expectations outlined in the Navigator.

Graduates must wear the official Palm Beach Atlantic University cap, gown, hood (if applicable), and any authorized honors regalia. Official regalia may not be substituted with alternative apparel or headwear, including but not limited to cowboy hats, baseball caps, novelty hats, or other non-approved items.

Cap decorations are permitted provided they are respectful, in good taste, and consistent with the mission, values, and Christian identity of Palm Beach Atlantic University. Decorations may not extend beyond the edges of the cap, obstruct the view of others, contain offensive language or imagery, promote political candidates or partisan political messages, or include controversial content that is inconsistent with the University’s community standards. Doctoral tams may not be decorated.

Only honor cords, medals, stoles, and sashes officially awarded or approved by Palm Beach Atlantic University may be worn during the commencement ceremony. Students are limited to four (4) sashes or honor cords. All regalia must be purchased through the University’s approved vendor. Flags, flag-themed draping, and other non-approved adornments are not permitted. Please refer to the Regalia Policy for approved graduate attire.

Stoles and Sashes: Stoles and sashes recognize academic achievement, participation in University-approved organizations or programs, military service, international student status, and other approved distinctions.

Honor Cords: Honor cords recognize academic achievement, membership in honor societies, leadership, service, and other University-approved accomplishments.

Academic Hood: The academic hood is worn by graduates earning a master’s or doctoral degree. Worn over the shoulders and down the back of the gown, the hood signifies the graduate’s degree and academic discipline. The velvet trim color represents the graduate’s academic field, while the lining displays the official colors of the degree-granting institution.

Palm Beach Atlantic University reserves the right to determine whether attire, regalia, or decorations comply with these standards. Graduates whose attire or regalia does not conform to University policy may be required to remove non-compliant items, exchange them for approved regalia, or may be denied participation in the commencement ceremony.

Official Regalia Policy

Commencement 2027

Stay tuned for information on graduate, guest, and employee parking locations.

Carpooling and Rideshare

Carpooling and rideshare options are highly recommended due to traffic in the downtown area with multiple construction projects ongoing near campus.

If you have any questions regarding parking or require assistance, please contact the Department of Public Safety at 561.803.2500.

Complimentary beverage refreshments will be served at Open House following each Commencement ceremony.

Commencement 2027

Stay tuned for information on purchasing graduation gifts and flowers. The link to pre-order flowers will be coming soon.

Please Note: Balloons are not permitted inside any campus buildings. Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and distraction-free environment for all graduates and guests.

Can’t make it to the event? A livestream will be available for each Commencement ceremony. The link will be released leading up to the big day.

PBA is committed to making Commencement accessible and welcoming for all graduates and guests. Designated parking, entrances and wheelchair-accessible seating will be available for those requiring physical accommodations. An ASL interpreter will be present during the ceremony, and assistive listening devices will be available upon request. To ensure we can best support your needs, please let us know about any accommodation requests by May 5. You can send your requests and questions to commencement@pba.edu.

GradImages will be the official photographer for Commencement. Three individual photos will be taken, and proofs will be sent to each graduate. Commencement participants will have the option of purchasing these photos directly from a link sent from GradImages. Please specify the graduation year when placing your order.

April 22, 2027 | 9 AM–5 PM

Lassiter Student Center

May 2027 grads will gather to pick up their regalia, shop graduation products, fill out their Reader Card, and more.

Have questions about Commencement? Email commencement@pba.edu or text GRADINFO to 561.861.2750 for answers and updates.